Playin' the Labubu Game: How One Plush Toy Skyrocketed to Stardom amidst Trade Wars and Celebs
Global phenomenon stirs turmoil and amasses colossal wealth for Chinese inventor of a $22 toy monster, causing a stir worldwide.
In the realm of adorable yet devious collectibles, Labubu is a sensation taking the world by storm. No, these aren't your average teddy bears—they're terrifying, but charming, and the Internets can't get enough.
Handcrafted by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, Labubu is the star of the "Monsters" figurine series, born from Lung's passion for Nordic mythology and children's creativity. Despite hitting the market in 2015, the demand for these critters years later remains insatiable.
Labubus have graced the designer bags of Fame's faithful—from Rihanna and Dua Lipa to Blackpink's Lisa, David Beckham, and even Kim Kardashian. Celebrity endorsements coupled with their intriguing, mysterious nature have catapulted these beastie buddies to insta-fame.
While demand continues to outrun supply for Labubus, scarcity is the name of the game. These plush, bizarre beauties sell for a hella cute $21.99 to $39.99, often concealed in so-called "blind boxes"—you won't know which variety of Labubu you'll get 'til you virtually rip it open.
Pop Mart, the Chinese retailer distributing Labubus, can't seem to stock the toy fast enough to meet demand. Their online store and app sell out daily, with Fridays at 10 AM being their designated restocking hour. It ain't uncommon to see hours-long lines snaking around the block as fans race to cop their coveted cuddly companion.
Amateur brawls even broke out at Pop Mart stores in the U.K. due to the fierce rivalry among collectors chasing after the rarest Labubus. Pop Mart eventually suspended sales in-store for safety reasons.
If you can't compete with the hordes descending upon Pop Mart, fear not! So-called "reseller bots" lurk in the shadows, systematically sweeping the web for fresh Labubu drops and scooping up the plush pandemonium in droves. These collectors then turn around and sell their catch on resale platforms like StockX, with rare editions fetching up to an eye-watering $450!
Counterfeit Labubus, known as "Lafufus," have also emerged, enticing some with their budget-friendly tag and noticeable differences.
Pop Mart remained tight-lipped when Fox News Digital reached out, failing to comment on potential tariff impacts or price hikes due to the U.S.-China trade tensions.
One social media tip for nabbing a Labubu before they vanish faster than a genie's smoke ring: the "Labubu-nomics." Posts detailing various buying strategies claiming to bypass armies of reseller bots abound. From editing URLs, rapid thumb-clicking to monitoring Pop Mart's third-party stores on Amazon and TikTok live streams—these methods have sparked hope among fans to add another set of stubby-legged, serrated-toothed critters to their collection.
Last month, Pop Mart's CEO, Wang Ning, saw a staggering $1.6 billion rise in his net worth overnight, all thanks to Labubu-loving Americans. So, best be strategizing—these furry freakazoids show no sign of slowing down anytime soon!
Celebrities, such as Rihanna and Kim Kardashian, have endorsed the Labubu figurines, contributing to their popularity on social media.
The demand for Labubus has been so high that they sell out on Pop Mart's online store and app daily, leading to hours-long lines and even confrontations among collectors.
